Changes Coming to WMS Annual Meeting in 2018

Big changes are coming to the Wyoming Medical Society’s marquee event of the year. On June 1 at Jackson Lake Lodge, the WMS Board of Trustees voted to change the organization’s Annual Meeting from a three-day summer event heavy on medical lectures to a more family-friendly winter meeting with social and educational opportunities, as well as time on the slopes of Northwest Wyoming.

The WMS will host its 2018 Annual Meeting Jan. 19-21 at Snow King Resort in Jackson, with two days of continuing medical education lectures, as well as skiing, and chances to check out the Jackson Hole area.

“Our post-event surveys from this year’s Annual Meeting were overwhelmingly in support of the change we made to offer free time in the afternoons of this year’s meeting,” said WMS Executive Director Sheila Bush. “This year’s meeting is a continuation of that philosophy, allowing member physicians face time with their colleagues, while not spending all day in meeting rooms, and away from family.”

The tentative schedule will have WMS Board of Trustees’ meeting starting Friday, Jan. 19 at 10 a.m and ending around 2 p.m. Friday night a combination wine tasting/education opportunity will kick off the Annual Meeting for those interested. Following the wine tasting, a reception open to all attendees will take place in the vendor hall at Snow King.

Saturday CME lectures run from 7-10:30 a.m. with time for skiing to follow. Shuttles will be available to take attendees from Snow King to Teton Village around 11 a.m, returning in the late afternoon for more time with vendors, and the President’s Dinner.

In years past, the WMS has held a membership lunch as a time to attend to its organizational business. In 2018, that will be replaced by a membership breakfast on Sunday, followed by specialty society meetings from 8-10 a.m. After 10 a.m. the meeting is officially concluded.

The impact of one fewer day and a meeting outside of Grand Teton National Park will have a positive impact on the wallet for attendees and vendors alike. WMS has negotiated a room rate of $149 per night with Snow King, which is a difference of $100 per night from a year ago. Exhibitors and sponsors of the WMS Annual Meeting will also see a substantial change to their costs to be a part of the meeting. WMS has lowered its rates for booth space from $950 to $600. There will be additional charges for those interested in attending the President’s Dinner and the Wine Tasting.

Registration information coming soon!

Rooms may be reserved under the WMS Room Block by calling Snow King Mountain at 307-201-KING and asking for the WMS Annual Meeting Room Block.

More information on speakers and other CME efforts will be released in the coming weeks. For more information on the event, email:  info@wyomed.org, or call 307-635-2424.